‘Let Hyderabad belong to both regions’

While it was Simon Go Back in 1927, it’ll be Sonia Go Back in 2013, say Samaikyandhra supporters who are pained by the Congress decision to bifurcate the State and give away Hyderabad to Telangana. Already rich in minerals, Telangana taking away Hyderabad too is unimaginable, bemoan the commoners

Samuel Tatikonda

Visakhapatnam: It was ‘Simon Go Back’ in 1927 and will be ‘Sonia Go Back in 2013.’ “The State is in political turmoil now with one foolish decision,” says Suresh Atluri, a Melbourne-returned film making graduate from Poranki, in Krishna district. In 1927 the British Government sent Sir John Simon and some other members to find out the grievances of the Indian people. This was called the Simon Commission, Suresh reminded. People of India boycotted this commission when it went to Lahore. Lala Lajpat Rai and some other people greeted them with black flags and with the slogan ‘Simon go back.’ It will be a repeat of the same, says Suresh. “I am sure the Congress Party with Sonia at the helm will be wiped out, if it doesn't wake up to reality.”

Even as protests escalate for Samaikyandhra, mixed reactions and mixed feelings were expressed by some people in the rural belt of Andhra Pradesh. People from Krishna, Visakhapatnam and neighbouring East Godavari and Srikakulam districts say the focus now shifts to Hyderabad.

Having given up hope that the State would be united, the rural folk angrily ask, “Let the people of Telangana leave Hyderabad alone. We all have right to that megapolis. Our future will be at stake, if the decision-makers in Delhi commit another historic blunder, if they do not declare Hyderabad as a Union Territory.”

“Hyderabad of what it is today is a collective effort of everyone. Even a married woman, if she decides to part ways with her husband after a few months, is entitled for a share in her husband's property. Whereas we have been together for more than 50 years....Are we not entitled to anything?” fumes Atluri.

“We will develop our own capital and let them develop their own capital, that will settle issues to some extent,” say the elders, with the little knowledge they have. All said and done “we will still fight tooth and nail against bifurcation,” says Thavitayya from Mindivanipalem in Visakhapatnam district. “It is always good to stay together, why this hue and cry to please ‘one person.’ We all speak one language, then why part ways,” he says with anguish.

Some people who this correspondent spoke to were more “attached” to Hyderabad in the sense that their children and grand children are working there. “We can't digest the fact that we have to travel to another State to see our loved ones. Though we are illiterates, we made sure our children had good education and decent jobs. But now with KCR's comments, what would be their fate,” says Prasad, an agricultural labourer from Gonthuvanipalem.

Vegi Bhaskar Naidu from Boddavaram village in East Godavari district has a different argument to make, “separation or no separation, will not affect any individual. The issues that will play a crucial role and which need to be addressed on a priority basis would be the sharing of waters, solving food resources, power crisis and academic issues. Let them solve these issues first and then think of bifurcation.”

“The whole problem lies with Hyderabad. As regards water sharing is concerned, the government can work out a solution keeping in mind people of both the regions but when it comes to Hyderabad, it must belong to both the regions,” says Murali, a foreman working in a rice mill in Narasannapeta in Srikakulam district. "Everything is there, the software sector, education, medical and industries. What will be the fate of our children. If we now give in to their (people of Telangana) demand, our future generation will not forgive us. Telangana is rich in minerals. coal, power, diamonds, iron ore, bauxite, limestone are mostly concentrated in Telangana, what are we left with after Hyderabad too is taken", says Rajesh from Sontyam, son of a panchayat sarpanch. "If we stay together, we can grow and handle any eventuality but now, we will lag behind". It will take another 10 years for both the regions to regroup and regain strength", says Rajesh.